Goodbye Trondheim
13 years ago
Monday, February 14, 2011
Happy Valentines day Mates!
Happy Valentines day Mates!
I love you all. God so loved the world that he gave His Only Begotten Son, that who ever beleiveth in him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
I'm glad that the work that we are involved in is a divine labor of love. I have been pondering lately about how my motivations need to be more out of love and less out of having success for myself. I think I will see more people be blessed at the end of my mission if I focus more on loving and serving others, rather than thinking about what I Want to do before i go home.
Happy Birthday Andrea! And Happy Birthday Andrea Nelson too! Hope you had a great day! Thanks for the Valentines Mum, and Andrea. That was a nice little surprise! Valentines day isn't too big over here. I almost forgot it was valentines day until I saw a few people carrying bouquet's of flowers around. Not to mention a bit more PDI than is desirable. I want you to know that I serve the Lord out of my sincere love for him and for those that have done so much to teach me correct principles as I was growing up. Thank you.
Today is transfers. Unfortunately we are not invited, because we found out Sunday night that neither of us are getting transferred. It seems like the Lord never lets you finish a companionship on bad terms. He always keeps you together until you work it out. I wanted so bad for elder Stringyfellow to get transferred. I even told president and the APs and the zone leaders. But he is still here. So I will be learning a lesson of enduring to the end. I have been praying very earnestly to be able to love him and serve him and to lose myself in the work and forget about how he annoys the crap out of me with everything he does. I admit, the prayers have been helping, and things are on the rise the past two days. I may be able to finish the transfer (and my mission) and us both make it out alive.
So I will be dying (finishing)here in Mudgeeraba. My longest area overall at 9 months total (6 transfers). I love the members in the ward here. It's just the nonmembers that I struggle with. No one seems to have any commit in them. But we are improving on all sides through, training, practice, sincere prayer and study; and through our own personal experiences and revelation. As i pray for revelation on what to do when i begin my day or my study it comes! Ask and ye shall receive, knock and it shall be opened unto you.
I've found a street, or a little area in our boundaries (by accident), that I have never seen before in my last 7 months in this area. We have been tracting it out and finding heaps of people to teach. We even taught a lady named Jodie that we committed to Baptism and E. Stringy got to extend his first baptismal date commitment for March 5th! It was really exciting. Pray for us and we'll see how we go. It is a very humble lower class area (other wise un-existent in our area) that I was very surprised to find. I said "this looks like all the other areas I've served in! We need to tract here!"
There is a member of our ward who recently came back to church with his family last year when I first got here. Now he is right in the FHC doing his family history and he is sitting behind us right now in the Robina Library doing his family history. Haha! I just looked behind me and another guy from our ward that we are teaching right now just walked into the Library! I love seeing members around!
Matt I love what you said about Walmart! Haha, that's a crack up. We have "Big W" here which is basically the Australian equivalent of Walmart, and that is where we get our photos developed too; and we always seem to see members and people we know in there. In fact the kid that processes the photos is in a partmember family.
We had a special stake conference on Sunday that was broadcast to every stake in Australia and Papua-New Guinea. It was conducted by Elder Patrick Kearon (I think that's his name?) of the quorum of the 70. you know the British guy "besides flip flops are shoes... of a sort" you know - that guy. He conducted the meeting. He was also the opening speaker and spoke about all the disasters in our country's as of late and the amazing response to all of them. The second speaker was Sister Silvia Alredd. The one that Uncle Peter apparently tracted into and baptized (that was my claim to fame on Sunday). The third speaker was Elder Scot that spoke on the sanctity of woman hood. And the concluding speaker was President Uktdorf. Hes the man! He spoke on faith. I was inspired to pray with greater faith. It was a wonderful stake conference (especially the adult session the night before). We got to sit next to our recent convert Hilita and also our investigator Zinia and her dad Neel Prasad. Her Mum Anny didn't come though. We haven't seen her in a few weeks. But its not for lack of trying.
We had this interesting guy OYM of GQ us on the way to the library this morning he just like walks up to us and strikes up a conversation about how he's not a believer he is a knower and talking about all these revelations that he has had and how he met Christ about ten years ago. How He took him through a hospital and showed him how he healed all the children. He was pretty crazy and when he laughed he sounded like he was on something; but he had an interesting insight about the young girl, that Christ raised from the dead. He said "she is not dead, but sleepeth". You know like in the finding faith in Christ DVD "Telita Cumea; i say unto thee Arise!" He said that he believed that was a parable of the Church at the time Christ came to earth. That it was sleeping and Christ came to wake it up. I thought his insight was interesting and can be related to how the Lord reveals or restores his Gospel in every Dispensation. Its cool how you learn new things from people on your mission every day. even crazy's.
Matt your insight on the member referral statistics remind me of a program that me and another missionary from my intake - Elder Hancock came up with. Its called the double the ward program. You go to the Bishop and say "as missionaries in your ward we want to help you grow your ward. We want you to encourage every member in the ward to just bring one friend to Church and to be taught by the missionaries. Just one. Then they all get baptized - and you've doubled the ward. Then you have a new ward that you can do the double the ward program in. Its simple." Sounds good eh. If I'm ever a bishop I will do the double the ward program.
Matt Kava is against the Word of Wisdom. I hope you didn't have any. Those guys looked Samoan. No I didn't eat the bananas - I made one of the elders in my district try one and he said it was yuck. Did you get your line of authority that I sent you.
Matt lets try that Tongan money dance thing when you get home.
Mum, Annie hasn't been coming to church in the past few weeks, so we haven't been able to involve her much. We are still working on finding her a friend.
Yes mum, I would consider UVU summer courses, if I can pay for it.
John said he could get me a job at MyEbiz. I wouldn't mind Cold stone or emergency essentials.
My time is up. I will try to attach some photos quickly. I love you all and look forward to seeing you in a bit. Love your Aussie Elder,
Elder R.A.Prina
I love you all. God so loved the world that he gave His Only Begotten Son, that who ever beleiveth in him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
I'm glad that the work that we are involved in is a divine labor of love. I have been pondering lately about how my motivations need to be more out of love and less out of having success for myself. I think I will see more people be blessed at the end of my mission if I focus more on loving and serving others, rather than thinking about what I Want to do before i go home.
Happy Birthday Andrea! And Happy Birthday Andrea Nelson too! Hope you had a great day! Thanks for the Valentines Mum, and Andrea. That was a nice little surprise! Valentines day isn't too big over here. I almost forgot it was valentines day until I saw a few people carrying bouquet's of flowers around. Not to mention a bit more PDI than is desirable. I want you to know that I serve the Lord out of my sincere love for him and for those that have done so much to teach me correct principles as I was growing up. Thank you.
Today is transfers. Unfortunately we are not invited, because we found out Sunday night that neither of us are getting transferred. It seems like the Lord never lets you finish a companionship on bad terms. He always keeps you together until you work it out. I wanted so bad for elder Stringyfellow to get transferred. I even told president and the APs and the zone leaders. But he is still here. So I will be learning a lesson of enduring to the end. I have been praying very earnestly to be able to love him and serve him and to lose myself in the work and forget about how he annoys the crap out of me with everything he does. I admit, the prayers have been helping, and things are on the rise the past two days. I may be able to finish the transfer (and my mission) and us both make it out alive.
So I will be dying (finishing)here in Mudgeeraba. My longest area overall at 9 months total (6 transfers). I love the members in the ward here. It's just the nonmembers that I struggle with. No one seems to have any commit in them. But we are improving on all sides through, training, practice, sincere prayer and study; and through our own personal experiences and revelation. As i pray for revelation on what to do when i begin my day or my study it comes! Ask and ye shall receive, knock and it shall be opened unto you.
I've found a street, or a little area in our boundaries (by accident), that I have never seen before in my last 7 months in this area. We have been tracting it out and finding heaps of people to teach. We even taught a lady named Jodie that we committed to Baptism and E. Stringy got to extend his first baptismal date commitment for March 5th! It was really exciting. Pray for us and we'll see how we go. It is a very humble lower class area (other wise un-existent in our area) that I was very surprised to find. I said "this looks like all the other areas I've served in! We need to tract here!"
There is a member of our ward who recently came back to church with his family last year when I first got here. Now he is right in the FHC doing his family history and he is sitting behind us right now in the Robina Library doing his family history. Haha! I just looked behind me and another guy from our ward that we are teaching right now just walked into the Library! I love seeing members around!
Matt I love what you said about Walmart! Haha, that's a crack up. We have "Big W" here which is basically the Australian equivalent of Walmart, and that is where we get our photos developed too; and we always seem to see members and people we know in there. In fact the kid that processes the photos is in a partmember family.
We had a special stake conference on Sunday that was broadcast to every stake in Australia and Papua-New Guinea. It was conducted by Elder Patrick Kearon (I think that's his name?) of the quorum of the 70. you know the British guy "besides flip flops are shoes... of a sort" you know - that guy. He conducted the meeting. He was also the opening speaker and spoke about all the disasters in our country's as of late and the amazing response to all of them. The second speaker was Sister Silvia Alredd. The one that Uncle Peter apparently tracted into and baptized (that was my claim to fame on Sunday). The third speaker was Elder Scot that spoke on the sanctity of woman hood. And the concluding speaker was President Uktdorf. Hes the man! He spoke on faith. I was inspired to pray with greater faith. It was a wonderful stake conference (especially the adult session the night before). We got to sit next to our recent convert Hilita and also our investigator Zinia and her dad Neel Prasad. Her Mum Anny didn't come though. We haven't seen her in a few weeks. But its not for lack of trying.
We had this interesting guy OYM of GQ us on the way to the library this morning he just like walks up to us and strikes up a conversation about how he's not a believer he is a knower and talking about all these revelations that he has had and how he met Christ about ten years ago. How He took him through a hospital and showed him how he healed all the children. He was pretty crazy and when he laughed he sounded like he was on something; but he had an interesting insight about the young girl, that Christ raised from the dead. He said "she is not dead, but sleepeth". You know like in the finding faith in Christ DVD "Telita Cumea; i say unto thee Arise!" He said that he believed that was a parable of the Church at the time Christ came to earth. That it was sleeping and Christ came to wake it up. I thought his insight was interesting and can be related to how the Lord reveals or restores his Gospel in every Dispensation. Its cool how you learn new things from people on your mission every day. even crazy's.
Matt your insight on the member referral statistics remind me of a program that me and another missionary from my intake - Elder Hancock came up with. Its called the double the ward program. You go to the Bishop and say "as missionaries in your ward we want to help you grow your ward. We want you to encourage every member in the ward to just bring one friend to Church and to be taught by the missionaries. Just one. Then they all get baptized - and you've doubled the ward. Then you have a new ward that you can do the double the ward program in. Its simple." Sounds good eh. If I'm ever a bishop I will do the double the ward program.
Matt Kava is against the Word of Wisdom. I hope you didn't have any. Those guys looked Samoan. No I didn't eat the bananas - I made one of the elders in my district try one and he said it was yuck. Did you get your line of authority that I sent you.
Matt lets try that Tongan money dance thing when you get home.
Mum, Annie hasn't been coming to church in the past few weeks, so we haven't been able to involve her much. We are still working on finding her a friend.
Yes mum, I would consider UVU summer courses, if I can pay for it.
John said he could get me a job at MyEbiz. I wouldn't mind Cold stone or emergency essentials.
My time is up. I will try to attach some photos quickly. I love you all and look forward to seeing you in a bit. Love your Aussie Elder,
Elder R.A.Prina
Monday, February 7, 2011
Bind me not to the pasture, chain me not to the plow
Bind me not to the pasture, chain me not to the plow
Set me free to find my calling, and I'll return to you somehow.
Aloha Family and Friends,
Thank you all for your emails, they are an inspiration and a motivation to me. I've had a good P-day so far. I went to Walmart and got some pictures developed. I love going to Walmart here because it's like going to Day's Market back home. We always joke that we should just go proselyte in Walmart because we always see so many people there (active members, less active members, Investigators, Tourists from Utah, Potential Investigators, People we met when we were tracting and People that think we work there) not just from our ward but from the whole island.
Today for P-day we are going to go bowling (great activity for Kauai huh?) we were going to do a hike but it rained all day yesterday so it would be way too muddy. I love people, there are some people in each area on your mission that you just fall in love with. One thing that stuck out to me in last general conference is that one of the apostles told us to enlarge our circle of friends. We are a social people. I love working with people and meeting new people and I know that helping other people brings a special kind of happiness. Making friends is doing missionary work, just by being around you your friends will see your good example and want to learn why you are the way you are.
I recently read Alma chapter 4 about the consequences of the members of the church not setting a good example. The entire progress of the church was stopped. "How important we are, How important you are"- Mario Facione. Lehi said, "how great the importance to make these things known unto the children of men" As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints we are literally the hands and arms of the savior. Like Pres. Uchdorf said "we are his hands" and it is our responsibility to help others to fully access the Atonement of Jesus Christ. One thing that I learned on my mission is that no one knows what the word "Atonement" means, NO ONE. Not many fully understand that the Atonement was the most important event that happened in the history of the world. So many think of missionary work as merely tracting, all those who are familiar with this work know there is a better way-Pres. Hinkley. I know that way is through the Members of this Church. Every single baptism that I've seen on my mission has come as a result of a member referral or working with part member family. Statistics show that 60 percent of member referrals in Hawaii are baptized. There is about 26,000 active members in the state of Hawaii. That means if every active member in Hawaii referred one person in the year of 2011, just one person in a whole year, then we would baptize 15,500 new converts in one year, that is the equivalent of about 3 stakes! That is about 15 times our goal for 2011 but that is cold statistics right there. Just imagine the impact it would have if each member of the church throughout the world referred one person this year!
Anyway, everything is going prety good here, we are working on keeping our recent converts active, they are all coming to church for the most part but I just wish they would be more involved and more excited to be there. I'm excited about the two young boys that we're teaching right now because they're really liking coming to church and youth activities throughout the week. Keli'i is 13 and Micah is 10, they both have less active parents but they're cousins are active so they come with they're cousins every week. The lessons with them are starting to go really well, they volunteer to say the prayer, ask really good questions, and let us know how they're doing on they're Book of Mormon reading. Kelly Machado who got baptized back in November and confirmed on my Birthday is doing good, she goes to seminary every morning and comes to church every week. Her older brothers are reactivated now and one blesses the sacrament and the other passes. The oldest brother (koa) is preparing to go on a mission and comes with us every Monday night to teach Keli'i and Micah. Keli'i and Micah will be baptized on the 19th and we were thinking it would be cool to have Koa baptize them since he's getting ready to go on a mission, that would be a way good experience for him.
To answer some of your questions: no mom I did not get my shoes yet but I look forward to that day. I'm sure I could get a full time Job at cold stone for possibly up to $9 an hour + tips if I just ask. They like me there. If you want to go set something set up with them mom just go to the one at the mall around 11:00 am and ask for Mel. Shes the girl with the blond hair, you've probably met her before. I'd love to start working the day I get released (Friday night?) if possible and at least work there making a little money until I can find a better job. Let me know if you could work that out. When you said sister Stratford did you mean January Stratton? I forgot they were in Peru, I still have the B.O.M. she gave me... actually I sent it home in that box with the chocolates.
Rob, no that wasn't Samoan kava! That was at a Tongan funeral! And no they weren't less active, the guys in that picture were the Lavakas, 1st counselor in the bishopric, EQP and assistant ward clerk. Haha, Did you eat the dried Bananas? I know they look gross but they taste really good! That's cool that you met another GG Girl. Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't Grace her first name and Georgia her middle name? I met a lady named Grace last week too.
Dad, I love hearing about BYU doing so good. Jimmers the man! He was my favorite his first year before he was so famous. What mornings are you playing Basketball right now? Can we play my first morning home? I like the can lights Idea in the Kitchen, I cant wait to see what it looks like. I loved the big florescent light but if I remember correctly it wasn't working when I left. I said a prayer for you when I got the email. In the Tongan Culture when someone in the family needs money, everyone helps out. It costs a lot of money to fly from Hawaii to Tonga. If someone needs to go over there they will usually have a big dinner or something and invite all their family and friends, during the dinner some of the girls will do traditional dances and everyone throws the money at the girls to help out. The family members go around and pick up all the money and count it until they have enough. Some of the really old Tongan guys get up and dance too around the girls, it's really funny. I don't know if that would work in our family but I'll certainly be willing to help in anyway I can when I get home. I love you and miss you.
Love,
Elder Prina
Set me free to find my calling, and I'll return to you somehow.
Aloha Family and Friends,
Thank you all for your emails, they are an inspiration and a motivation to me. I've had a good P-day so far. I went to Walmart and got some pictures developed. I love going to Walmart here because it's like going to Day's Market back home. We always joke that we should just go proselyte in Walmart because we always see so many people there (active members, less active members, Investigators, Tourists from Utah, Potential Investigators, People we met when we were tracting and People that think we work there) not just from our ward but from the whole island.
Today for P-day we are going to go bowling (great activity for Kauai huh?) we were going to do a hike but it rained all day yesterday so it would be way too muddy. I love people, there are some people in each area on your mission that you just fall in love with. One thing that stuck out to me in last general conference is that one of the apostles told us to enlarge our circle of friends. We are a social people. I love working with people and meeting new people and I know that helping other people brings a special kind of happiness. Making friends is doing missionary work, just by being around you your friends will see your good example and want to learn why you are the way you are.
I recently read Alma chapter 4 about the consequences of the members of the church not setting a good example. The entire progress of the church was stopped. "How important we are, How important you are"- Mario Facione. Lehi said, "how great the importance to make these things known unto the children of men" As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints we are literally the hands and arms of the savior. Like Pres. Uchdorf said "we are his hands" and it is our responsibility to help others to fully access the Atonement of Jesus Christ. One thing that I learned on my mission is that no one knows what the word "Atonement" means, NO ONE. Not many fully understand that the Atonement was the most important event that happened in the history of the world. So many think of missionary work as merely tracting, all those who are familiar with this work know there is a better way-Pres. Hinkley. I know that way is through the Members of this Church. Every single baptism that I've seen on my mission has come as a result of a member referral or working with part member family. Statistics show that 60 percent of member referrals in Hawaii are baptized. There is about 26,000 active members in the state of Hawaii. That means if every active member in Hawaii referred one person in the year of 2011, just one person in a whole year, then we would baptize 15,500 new converts in one year, that is the equivalent of about 3 stakes! That is about 15 times our goal for 2011 but that is cold statistics right there. Just imagine the impact it would have if each member of the church throughout the world referred one person this year!
Anyway, everything is going prety good here, we are working on keeping our recent converts active, they are all coming to church for the most part but I just wish they would be more involved and more excited to be there. I'm excited about the two young boys that we're teaching right now because they're really liking coming to church and youth activities throughout the week. Keli'i is 13 and Micah is 10, they both have less active parents but they're cousins are active so they come with they're cousins every week. The lessons with them are starting to go really well, they volunteer to say the prayer, ask really good questions, and let us know how they're doing on they're Book of Mormon reading. Kelly Machado who got baptized back in November and confirmed on my Birthday is doing good, she goes to seminary every morning and comes to church every week. Her older brothers are reactivated now and one blesses the sacrament and the other passes. The oldest brother (koa) is preparing to go on a mission and comes with us every Monday night to teach Keli'i and Micah. Keli'i and Micah will be baptized on the 19th and we were thinking it would be cool to have Koa baptize them since he's getting ready to go on a mission, that would be a way good experience for him.
To answer some of your questions: no mom I did not get my shoes yet but I look forward to that day. I'm sure I could get a full time Job at cold stone for possibly up to $9 an hour + tips if I just ask. They like me there. If you want to go set something set up with them mom just go to the one at the mall around 11:00 am and ask for Mel. Shes the girl with the blond hair, you've probably met her before. I'd love to start working the day I get released (Friday night?) if possible and at least work there making a little money until I can find a better job. Let me know if you could work that out. When you said sister Stratford did you mean January Stratton? I forgot they were in Peru, I still have the B.O.M. she gave me... actually I sent it home in that box with the chocolates.
Rob, no that wasn't Samoan kava! That was at a Tongan funeral! And no they weren't less active, the guys in that picture were the Lavakas, 1st counselor in the bishopric, EQP and assistant ward clerk. Haha, Did you eat the dried Bananas? I know they look gross but they taste really good! That's cool that you met another GG Girl. Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't Grace her first name and Georgia her middle name? I met a lady named Grace last week too.
Dad, I love hearing about BYU doing so good. Jimmers the man! He was my favorite his first year before he was so famous. What mornings are you playing Basketball right now? Can we play my first morning home? I like the can lights Idea in the Kitchen, I cant wait to see what it looks like. I loved the big florescent light but if I remember correctly it wasn't working when I left. I said a prayer for you when I got the email. In the Tongan Culture when someone in the family needs money, everyone helps out. It costs a lot of money to fly from Hawaii to Tonga. If someone needs to go over there they will usually have a big dinner or something and invite all their family and friends, during the dinner some of the girls will do traditional dances and everyone throws the money at the girls to help out. The family members go around and pick up all the money and count it until they have enough. Some of the really old Tongan guys get up and dance too around the girls, it's really funny. I don't know if that would work in our family but I'll certainly be willing to help in anyway I can when I get home. I love you and miss you.
Love,
Elder Prina
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Mt. Warning in the Morning Mt. Tambo in the Arvo
Dear family and friends.
I don't have much to say. Matt thanks for the package. It was awesome. Nice photo with the Samoan's kava... crack up.
Andrea Nelson. Thanks for the letter and photos. Good to hear from you. Happy Birthday on the 13th.
Happy Birthday Tucker. It seems like there are B-days in our family every week. I can't wait to be a bigger part of them.
Mum, you said Lisa took Christian and Madi to do baptisms. Is Madi already old enough to go to the temple?? stone the crows!
Mum and Dad did you know any Corless' in our stake back in Michigan? Like from the Sterling Heights ward, or do any of my brothers and sisters' know any Corless'? I just talked to a girl in our stake that just got back from serving in Idaho - and she said she served with a girl from Detroit, named Elder Corless. I thought the name sounded familiar.
When is Georgia Grace's Birthday. We just tracted into a lady today who has a little 5 year old daughter named Georgia. I said "that's a cute name, I have a niece who was recently born named Georgia, but her full name is Georgia Grace." Then she said "that's my Georgia's middle name too!" She said she was born on May 27th. We got a return apt. with her for next weekend and I told her I would find out when My Georgia Grace's Birthday was. If she was born on the same day that would be really weird. We got a lot of return appointments that day, from just that little one hour of tracting, even one with some Aboriginal Kids.
The work here has been about the same. Transfers is a week from tomorrow. I reckon E.Stringy will get transferred, Probably up north too. I told President that i would like to serve with E. Paki # 1 for my last transfer, so we'll see what happens. :)
Zinia was our only investigator at Church this week, and we dropped a few people this week. Please continue to pray for Annie Prasad and Jade Angangan that they will keep their commitments, and especially come to Church! We have lessons with both of them set up for this week.
Hilita bore her testimony for the fist time yesterday, and so did Neel Prasad. The Spirit was so strong. things like that help me through the little dry patches.
Well once again the time is gone and I'm getting timed off before I have time to send photos or answer your questions.
I love you all. I love being a missionary and I love the Lord, and know the Gospel has been restored.
We hiked Mt.Warning this morning with our ward mission leader for p-day. It is the first place in Australia to see the sunrise only problem this morning is that their was no sun. :)
Love, Elder R.A.Prina
I don't have much to say. Matt thanks for the package. It was awesome. Nice photo with the Samoan's kava... crack up.
Andrea Nelson. Thanks for the letter and photos. Good to hear from you. Happy Birthday on the 13th.
Happy Birthday Tucker. It seems like there are B-days in our family every week. I can't wait to be a bigger part of them.
Mum, you said Lisa took Christian and Madi to do baptisms. Is Madi already old enough to go to the temple?? stone the crows!
Mum and Dad did you know any Corless' in our stake back in Michigan? Like from the Sterling Heights ward, or do any of my brothers and sisters' know any Corless'? I just talked to a girl in our stake that just got back from serving in Idaho - and she said she served with a girl from Detroit, named Elder Corless. I thought the name sounded familiar.
When is Georgia Grace's Birthday. We just tracted into a lady today who has a little 5 year old daughter named Georgia. I said "that's a cute name, I have a niece who was recently born named Georgia, but her full name is Georgia Grace." Then she said "that's my Georgia's middle name too!" She said she was born on May 27th. We got a return apt. with her for next weekend and I told her I would find out when My Georgia Grace's Birthday was. If she was born on the same day that would be really weird. We got a lot of return appointments that day, from just that little one hour of tracting, even one with some Aboriginal Kids.
The work here has been about the same. Transfers is a week from tomorrow. I reckon E.Stringy will get transferred, Probably up north too. I told President that i would like to serve with E. Paki # 1 for my last transfer, so we'll see what happens. :)
Zinia was our only investigator at Church this week, and we dropped a few people this week. Please continue to pray for Annie Prasad and Jade Angangan that they will keep their commitments, and especially come to Church! We have lessons with both of them set up for this week.
Hilita bore her testimony for the fist time yesterday, and so did Neel Prasad. The Spirit was so strong. things like that help me through the little dry patches.
Well once again the time is gone and I'm getting timed off before I have time to send photos or answer your questions.
I love you all. I love being a missionary and I love the Lord, and know the Gospel has been restored.
We hiked Mt.Warning this morning with our ward mission leader for p-day. It is the first place in Australia to see the sunrise only problem this morning is that their was no sun. :)
Love, Elder R.A.Prina
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Aloha Everyone,
I'm still pressing forward here in Kauai and loving every minute of it. We had 2 baptisms on Saturday I'll have to send you the pictures next week. Chathan Idica-Butac (10) and Sola Fahina (21). It was a great Baptism, I gave a talk about Baptism and Covenants, Elder Parker "suffered them", and then our ward mission leader gave a talk on the Holy Ghost. I got to do the confirmations the next day in Sacrament meeting. Right now we are just trying to focus on helping them to make friends and build their Testimonies so they'll stay active.
I'm looking forward to being able to have more contact with my converts when I get home. I just want to call them every Sunday morning and make sure they go to church.
I was glad to hear we beat SDSU I wish I could've been there with you guys! I was bummed about the Lobos game:(.
Thanks for the package Sierra, I got it last Wednesday but I haven't even had time to open it until this morning. Those were really good pictures, Did you guys do a Utah Temple excursion or something?
Dad thanks for the update on the world, I won't dwell on it but it's good to know. I am definitely going to ponder and pray about my schooling. Of course I've always wanted to get into Graphic Design or Industrial Design, but I'll have to think about what's going to get me a good Job. A wise Tongan Man once told me almost two years ago, "If you don't have a major, major in business, if you do have a major, minor in business, that way you always have something to fall back on".
I've thought a little bit about where I should work when I get home (so I can pay for school). The thought came to mind that instead of taking a few weeks to find a job, I could probably start working for Coldstone the day I get home and just do that until I find a better job. That way I can at least be making a little money rather than NO money until I get a better job. Or did you want me to work for you when I get home. You've started a good business and I think Rob and I could Make a valuable contribution to it if we really put some effort into it and add a little of our creativity and charisma. An old Japanese guy in Pearl City once told me that he knew a guy who started a cleaning company years ago and now he's a millionaire. He said he carries a toilet around in his truck and does seminars showing people how to clean a toilet. Just let me know what YOU think would be good for me, those are just my ideas.
I was just thinking today how much I miss my sisters! When you think about it I have some of the coolest sisters in the whole world, and there's four of them!!! I can't wait to see you.
Lisa tell Tucker Happy Birthday for me!
Mom, I did not get my shoes yet but I'm looking forward to them. I sent you a package today with some of those chocolates in it, I hope that's the kind you wanted. The Elder's name in Ogden is Pauli Ta'amale I don't know if he's left Hawaii yet.
Rob, I got your package with the T-shirt but I haven't gotten another "envelope" yet. I want to go to Australia with you someday!
Love
Elder Prina
God our strength will be pressed forward ever called to serve our king!
I'm still pressing forward here in Kauai and loving every minute of it. We had 2 baptisms on Saturday I'll have to send you the pictures next week. Chathan Idica-Butac (10) and Sola Fahina (21). It was a great Baptism, I gave a talk about Baptism and Covenants, Elder Parker "suffered them", and then our ward mission leader gave a talk on the Holy Ghost. I got to do the confirmations the next day in Sacrament meeting. Right now we are just trying to focus on helping them to make friends and build their Testimonies so they'll stay active.
I'm looking forward to being able to have more contact with my converts when I get home. I just want to call them every Sunday morning and make sure they go to church.
I was glad to hear we beat SDSU I wish I could've been there with you guys! I was bummed about the Lobos game:(.
Thanks for the package Sierra, I got it last Wednesday but I haven't even had time to open it until this morning. Those were really good pictures, Did you guys do a Utah Temple excursion or something?
Dad thanks for the update on the world, I won't dwell on it but it's good to know. I am definitely going to ponder and pray about my schooling. Of course I've always wanted to get into Graphic Design or Industrial Design, but I'll have to think about what's going to get me a good Job. A wise Tongan Man once told me almost two years ago, "If you don't have a major, major in business, if you do have a major, minor in business, that way you always have something to fall back on".
I've thought a little bit about where I should work when I get home (so I can pay for school). The thought came to mind that instead of taking a few weeks to find a job, I could probably start working for Coldstone the day I get home and just do that until I find a better job. That way I can at least be making a little money rather than NO money until I get a better job. Or did you want me to work for you when I get home. You've started a good business and I think Rob and I could Make a valuable contribution to it if we really put some effort into it and add a little of our creativity and charisma. An old Japanese guy in Pearl City once told me that he knew a guy who started a cleaning company years ago and now he's a millionaire. He said he carries a toilet around in his truck and does seminars showing people how to clean a toilet. Just let me know what YOU think would be good for me, those are just my ideas.
I was just thinking today how much I miss my sisters! When you think about it I have some of the coolest sisters in the whole world, and there's four of them!!! I can't wait to see you.
Lisa tell Tucker Happy Birthday for me!
Mom, I did not get my shoes yet but I'm looking forward to them. I sent you a package today with some of those chocolates in it, I hope that's the kind you wanted. The Elder's name in Ogden is Pauli Ta'amale I don't know if he's left Hawaii yet.
Rob, I got your package with the T-shirt but I haven't gotten another "envelope" yet. I want to go to Australia with you someday!
Love
Elder Prina
God our strength will be pressed forward ever called to serve our king!
Sunday, January 30, 2011
How ya goin'?
FAR OUT MATES!
How ya goin'?
Elder Prina here on the Gold Coast, just thought I'd drop a line on this Beautiful Pday. Its been an alright week. We had a good lesson with the Prasad family, but her boss scheduled her to work on Sunday, even after she requested it off. So she wasn't able to come but Neel Prasad still brought Zinia, who loves Primary, and I just found out that she is the 'president' of her class and calls on people to say the prayers and stuff. She's a Legend. My recent convert Hilita Williams, who got baptized here in Mudgeeraba back in August gave the opening prayer in Sacrament meeting this Sunday for the first time. She is a pro at praying. It's because we applied the training to have her kneel and pray on the first lesson. She's a Legend.
Elder Stringfellow is.... still here. I'll send you a video of him. We played basketball at the stake center this morning with the zone leaders, our ward mission leader, another area in our District, and a few other guys. It is a lot of fun and we are going to make it a regular thing. I love basketball. Speaking of which. Mom. You could've said a bit more about the SDSU game than just "it was really exciting"... like maybe.... WHO WON??! haha or the score maybe. haha. That's a shame that they ended their winning streak. Dad how high are they in the Rankings now? Jimmer sounds like he's a fairdinkum Legend.
Last week for Pday we went to this place called Spring brook with these waterfalls. I'll have to send some photos.
Sierra thanks heaps for the photos of the kids! They're priceless. I am expecting your letter. Did you send it to the mission office or to the flat in Robina? Did John get his Chrissy Present i sent him (the t-shirt)? Matt and Dad, did you get the envelopes I sent you in the mail yet?
Sierra that is sweet as that you saw President And Sister Richards!! They are my Favorites! I thought that they might be in your parents ward or stake when i heard they were moving to highland. Tell your parents to make friends with them - they are the coolest, nicest people ever. President Richards plays basketball so you should get him to play with our dads. I always wanted to play basketball with him my whole mission, but I never served in the office, or even in Brisbane for that matter.
Mum, thanks for the advice with getting Anny involved more in the Relief Society. We have already talked to her about finding someone in the RS to fellowship her. But I think it would be a great idea to get her a responsibility.
How about we make a goal to save money to come to the Gold Coast! Its way better than Kauai! The people here have cooler accent.
That's cool that you got to go see your Dad and spend time with him and your sisters. Give them all hugs for me. Make sure the snow doesn't all melt before I get home.
I know that the Church is true and that miracles happen every day. I'm getting kicked off the computer now. I love you all so much.
Love, Elder R.A. Prina
How ya goin'?
Elder Prina here on the Gold Coast, just thought I'd drop a line on this Beautiful Pday. Its been an alright week. We had a good lesson with the Prasad family, but her boss scheduled her to work on Sunday, even after she requested it off. So she wasn't able to come but Neel Prasad still brought Zinia, who loves Primary, and I just found out that she is the 'president' of her class and calls on people to say the prayers and stuff. She's a Legend. My recent convert Hilita Williams, who got baptized here in Mudgeeraba back in August gave the opening prayer in Sacrament meeting this Sunday for the first time. She is a pro at praying. It's because we applied the training to have her kneel and pray on the first lesson. She's a Legend.
Elder Stringfellow is.... still here. I'll send you a video of him. We played basketball at the stake center this morning with the zone leaders, our ward mission leader, another area in our District, and a few other guys. It is a lot of fun and we are going to make it a regular thing. I love basketball. Speaking of which. Mom. You could've said a bit more about the SDSU game than just "it was really exciting"... like maybe.... WHO WON??! haha or the score maybe. haha. That's a shame that they ended their winning streak. Dad how high are they in the Rankings now? Jimmer sounds like he's a fairdinkum Legend.
Last week for Pday we went to this place called Spring brook with these waterfalls. I'll have to send some photos.
Sierra thanks heaps for the photos of the kids! They're priceless. I am expecting your letter. Did you send it to the mission office or to the flat in Robina? Did John get his Chrissy Present i sent him (the t-shirt)? Matt and Dad, did you get the envelopes I sent you in the mail yet?
Sierra that is sweet as that you saw President And Sister Richards!! They are my Favorites! I thought that they might be in your parents ward or stake when i heard they were moving to highland. Tell your parents to make friends with them - they are the coolest, nicest people ever. President Richards plays basketball so you should get him to play with our dads. I always wanted to play basketball with him my whole mission, but I never served in the office, or even in Brisbane for that matter.
Mum, thanks for the advice with getting Anny involved more in the Relief Society. We have already talked to her about finding someone in the RS to fellowship her. But I think it would be a great idea to get her a responsibility.
How about we make a goal to save money to come to the Gold Coast! Its way better than Kauai! The people here have cooler accent.
That's cool that you got to go see your Dad and spend time with him and your sisters. Give them all hugs for me. Make sure the snow doesn't all melt before I get home.
I know that the Church is true and that miracles happen every day. I'm getting kicked off the computer now. I love you all so much.
Love, Elder R.A. Prina
Monday, January 24, 2011
Good morning and Aloha!
Good morning and Aloha! 1/24/2011
Today we are going to Kalapaki Beach park for a picnic with the zone. We will play frisbee, hacky sack and Portuguese horse shoes. We have a really good zone this transfer.
Our area is doing great, we had two Baptismal interviews yesterday and they will both be baptized this Saturday (Chathan Idica {10} and Sola Fahina {21}) I thought Sola was older but when her husband was filling out her baptismal record yesterday I looked at her B-day and it was 11/8/89. We are focusing on talking to more people right now and the lord is really blessing us. There were so many people at church on Sunday, less actives, part member families, investigators, non members, everyone! The chapel was packed to the back. The only problem is that all of the tourists get there on time and all of the less actives and investigators get there late so we're always stuck in the back where it's really tough to feel the spirit. I got to help pass the sacrament yesterday, I really enjoied that.
We have 3 more with a date to get baptized. One is 10 years old and his mom is a less active member but his auntie and cousins are active his name is Micha Cardinez and he will get baptized on Feb. 6th. His cousin will also be baptized on the 6th, his name is Keli'i Kelekoma (13) and also has less active parents. Their auntie brought them to church yesterday and they are coming to mutual on Tuesday nights too. The other kid is named Quinton Higley(17), his dad is a returning less active member and his mom is a nonmember. He's dating one of the less active girls in the ward (not a good example at all) but he is a really good kid and may go to SUU when he graduates.
We are working hard and the lord continues to bless us. My companion holds me very accountable (just with little stuff) and sometimes my natural man tells me to fight back but I have a little wrestle in my soul for a few seconds and then I try to humble myself and listen to him.
Mom: Thanks for sending the Shoes they are much needed. I think someone gave us some of those chocolate balls for Christmas I'll dig them out of our never ending junk food storage and send them to you. I just dry cleaned my suit last week so it should still be nice when I get home. Do you know the name of the guy that Christ miller talked to. I just found out that one of the Tongan kids from my previous ward is going to the Ogden Utah mission. His name is Pauli Ta'amale. See if Chris Miller knows him.
Dad: Jimmer's the man. I'm excited to hear the outcome of the sdsu game. GO COUGARS! What Hatch family are you talking about? The one that was in Rock Canyon ward? Are you talking about Bryce Hatch? It sounds like you all are having a blast out there.
Give everyone my Aloha.
I love you,
Elder M Prina
Today we are going to Kalapaki Beach park for a picnic with the zone. We will play frisbee, hacky sack and Portuguese horse shoes. We have a really good zone this transfer.
Our area is doing great, we had two Baptismal interviews yesterday and they will both be baptized this Saturday (Chathan Idica {10} and Sola Fahina {21}) I thought Sola was older but when her husband was filling out her baptismal record yesterday I looked at her B-day and it was 11/8/89. We are focusing on talking to more people right now and the lord is really blessing us. There were so many people at church on Sunday, less actives, part member families, investigators, non members, everyone! The chapel was packed to the back. The only problem is that all of the tourists get there on time and all of the less actives and investigators get there late so we're always stuck in the back where it's really tough to feel the spirit. I got to help pass the sacrament yesterday, I really enjoied that.
We have 3 more with a date to get baptized. One is 10 years old and his mom is a less active member but his auntie and cousins are active his name is Micha Cardinez and he will get baptized on Feb. 6th. His cousin will also be baptized on the 6th, his name is Keli'i Kelekoma (13) and also has less active parents. Their auntie brought them to church yesterday and they are coming to mutual on Tuesday nights too. The other kid is named Quinton Higley(17), his dad is a returning less active member and his mom is a nonmember. He's dating one of the less active girls in the ward (not a good example at all) but he is a really good kid and may go to SUU when he graduates.
We are working hard and the lord continues to bless us. My companion holds me very accountable (just with little stuff) and sometimes my natural man tells me to fight back but I have a little wrestle in my soul for a few seconds and then I try to humble myself and listen to him.
Mom: Thanks for sending the Shoes they are much needed. I think someone gave us some of those chocolate balls for Christmas I'll dig them out of our never ending junk food storage and send them to you. I just dry cleaned my suit last week so it should still be nice when I get home. Do you know the name of the guy that Christ miller talked to. I just found out that one of the Tongan kids from my previous ward is going to the Ogden Utah mission. His name is Pauli Ta'amale. See if Chris Miller knows him.
Dad: Jimmer's the man. I'm excited to hear the outcome of the sdsu game. GO COUGARS! What Hatch family are you talking about? The one that was in Rock Canyon ward? Are you talking about Bryce Hatch? It sounds like you all are having a blast out there.
Give everyone my Aloha.
I love you,
Elder M Prina
Sunday, January 23, 2011
G'day family and friends
G'day family and friends,
Its good to hear from you this fine day. As usual its a B-E-A-UTIFUL day on the Gold Coast. Its been a good week. We didn't quite hit twenty lessons like Matt. But we had more lessons this week then we've had in over a month. We are finding new investigators but the problem continues to be holding the second appointment. Everyone on the Gold Coast seems like they are on Holiday [mentally, and in all other respects]. everyone just tells us to pop by, or 'call in' while we are in the area. So we struggle to get people to hold appointments. Annie and Zinia Prasad came to church this Sunday, and Annie went into Relief Society. Annie's Husband Neal Prasad, who has come back to church in the past 6 months, since I've been here, spoke in sacrament today. It was very special and a bit emotional for me. He hasn't spoken in church in over a decade. It made me feel like we've had some other success' here, though we haven't had any Baptisms lately.
Elder Stringfellow and I are getting along well. We work towards a common goal and nothing else matters. Jade didn't come to Church this week. We found a new guy to teach named Cameron. He is 23 years old and a bit of a drifter. He has some interesting beliefs and is really into "your thoughts become reality" "sacred Geometry" "star trek" and he wants to join the free masons and go "intergalactic". He listens to us and has committed to read and pray about the Book of Mormon. But he says that he wants to join the free masons cause he reckons that is the real stuff. We find some "one in a millions" here on the Gold Coast. Pray for us to find some Elect families so we can take home Matt's title of liberty broom.
We've had some success with getting a few less actives and recent converts back to church. There is a lot of them here.
How was sister Lisa Prina's homecoming talk? I wish I could have heard it. I want to go ask her about all of her mission stories and see all of her cool mission pictures when I get home.
Tell Sara B happy birthday for me! They all look so big in the photos! I can't believe it! Is Ellie already talking and saying stuff?!
I get home March 30th, so a little over a month after Matt. All the hype will have died down by then. haha. I come home with a huge group of Missionaries. We're gonna put a big dent in the mission. My MTC companion, Elder Hogg, is actually my zone leader right now, so i get to see him very often. We went on a trade off just on Saturday and reminisced about our missions and the good times. We had a really good group of missionaries in our intake. I arrive at around noon on march 30th. Look forward to seeing you then. Its good to hear you like your t-shirt Matt. i hope john got his.
well I'm being kicked off the computer. I love you all and hope you have a great rest of January. I know the scriptures are true.
Love, Elder R.A.Prina
Its good to hear from you this fine day. As usual its a B-E-A-UTIFUL day on the Gold Coast. Its been a good week. We didn't quite hit twenty lessons like Matt. But we had more lessons this week then we've had in over a month. We are finding new investigators but the problem continues to be holding the second appointment. Everyone on the Gold Coast seems like they are on Holiday [mentally, and in all other respects]. everyone just tells us to pop by, or 'call in' while we are in the area. So we struggle to get people to hold appointments. Annie and Zinia Prasad came to church this Sunday, and Annie went into Relief Society. Annie's Husband Neal Prasad, who has come back to church in the past 6 months, since I've been here, spoke in sacrament today. It was very special and a bit emotional for me. He hasn't spoken in church in over a decade. It made me feel like we've had some other success' here, though we haven't had any Baptisms lately.
Elder Stringfellow and I are getting along well. We work towards a common goal and nothing else matters. Jade didn't come to Church this week. We found a new guy to teach named Cameron. He is 23 years old and a bit of a drifter. He has some interesting beliefs and is really into "your thoughts become reality" "sacred Geometry" "star trek" and he wants to join the free masons and go "intergalactic". He listens to us and has committed to read and pray about the Book of Mormon. But he says that he wants to join the free masons cause he reckons that is the real stuff. We find some "one in a millions" here on the Gold Coast. Pray for us to find some Elect families so we can take home Matt's title of liberty broom.
We've had some success with getting a few less actives and recent converts back to church. There is a lot of them here.
How was sister Lisa Prina's homecoming talk? I wish I could have heard it. I want to go ask her about all of her mission stories and see all of her cool mission pictures when I get home.
Tell Sara B happy birthday for me! They all look so big in the photos! I can't believe it! Is Ellie already talking and saying stuff?!
I get home March 30th, so a little over a month after Matt. All the hype will have died down by then. haha. I come home with a huge group of Missionaries. We're gonna put a big dent in the mission. My MTC companion, Elder Hogg, is actually my zone leader right now, so i get to see him very often. We went on a trade off just on Saturday and reminisced about our missions and the good times. We had a really good group of missionaries in our intake. I arrive at around noon on march 30th. Look forward to seeing you then. Its good to hear you like your t-shirt Matt. i hope john got his.
well I'm being kicked off the computer. I love you all and hope you have a great rest of January. I know the scriptures are true.
Love, Elder R.A.Prina
Monday, January 17, 2011
What more can he say than to you he has said...
Aloha,
Thank you all for your emails and the pictures of Sarah b's B-day. It sounds like everyone is doing well. Everything is tight as Bet here in Lihue Kauai.
Last week was probably one of the best weeks of my mission. We found 5 new investigators and we have 2 with a baptismal date right now. Rob mentioned finding a lot more investigators on his own efforts, we've been seeing the same here. Elder Parker and I have made a covenant to do a windows to heaven at least 5 days out of the week as well as to OYM (open your mouth) at least 10 people a day which is hard sometimes because we have so many lessons, we hit 20 lessons last week and we plan on getting more this week (this Wednesday we have an appointment scheduled for every hour of the day). Our zone theme this transfer is "Find a Family", I made a mini "Title of Liberty" out of a broom stick and My dead companions old shirt and made a tight "find a family" stencil and sprayed it on there. Which ever companionship gets the most OYM's in a week gets to take home the title of liberty for a week and sign it. Ever since we covenanted to talk to more people we've been seeing miracles everyday! To help us find a family we are looking for doors that have a bunch of shoes in front of them when we knock on doors. 5 of our 10 OYM's need to be "shoe houses". It seems like every time we go tracting now we end up teaching a lesson, The lord isn't making us knock that much, sometimes it's the first door we go to. I know that when we have faith that these people are out there and we commit to doing everything to find them, and then we go out and go to work that God Will Lead Us to find them.
I'm loving Kauai, it's so beautiful here, it would be a fun vacation spot. They have a nice Marriott here, good restaurants, a zip line jungle tour, mountain atv's adventures, Helicopter rides, beautiful hikes, huge beaches, and the most beautiful drives on earth.
It's been kind of cold here. Last night it got down to like 12 below. (12 below 70) one of the members let us borrow a little heater. Any thing below 70 here is freezing, I don't know what I'm going to do back in Utah. Can you have like a big coat waiting for me when I get off the plane? Like Rob I'm really looking forward to my last transfer and I think it will be my best.
To answer some of your questions: Yes, Rob I got your package with the T-shirt, thank you so much it's tight as bet. Yes, Mom you can open those packages I sent home, they are your Christmas gifts.
Well I hope you all have a great week, I love you very much and Pray for you every day.
Love,
Elder Prina
Thank you all for your emails and the pictures of Sarah b's B-day. It sounds like everyone is doing well. Everything is tight as Bet here in Lihue Kauai.
Last week was probably one of the best weeks of my mission. We found 5 new investigators and we have 2 with a baptismal date right now. Rob mentioned finding a lot more investigators on his own efforts, we've been seeing the same here. Elder Parker and I have made a covenant to do a windows to heaven at least 5 days out of the week as well as to OYM (open your mouth) at least 10 people a day which is hard sometimes because we have so many lessons, we hit 20 lessons last week and we plan on getting more this week (this Wednesday we have an appointment scheduled for every hour of the day). Our zone theme this transfer is "Find a Family", I made a mini "Title of Liberty" out of a broom stick and My dead companions old shirt and made a tight "find a family" stencil and sprayed it on there. Which ever companionship gets the most OYM's in a week gets to take home the title of liberty for a week and sign it. Ever since we covenanted to talk to more people we've been seeing miracles everyday! To help us find a family we are looking for doors that have a bunch of shoes in front of them when we knock on doors. 5 of our 10 OYM's need to be "shoe houses". It seems like every time we go tracting now we end up teaching a lesson, The lord isn't making us knock that much, sometimes it's the first door we go to. I know that when we have faith that these people are out there and we commit to doing everything to find them, and then we go out and go to work that God Will Lead Us to find them.
I'm loving Kauai, it's so beautiful here, it would be a fun vacation spot. They have a nice Marriott here, good restaurants, a zip line jungle tour, mountain atv's adventures, Helicopter rides, beautiful hikes, huge beaches, and the most beautiful drives on earth.
It's been kind of cold here. Last night it got down to like 12 below. (12 below 70) one of the members let us borrow a little heater. Any thing below 70 here is freezing, I don't know what I'm going to do back in Utah. Can you have like a big coat waiting for me when I get off the plane? Like Rob I'm really looking forward to my last transfer and I think it will be my best.
To answer some of your questions: Yes, Rob I got your package with the T-shirt, thank you so much it's tight as bet. Yes, Mom you can open those packages I sent home, they are your Christmas gifts.
Well I hope you all have a great week, I love you very much and Pray for you every day.
Love,
Elder Prina
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Touch in the mud
1.Currumbin wildlife sanctuary.
2. Touch in the mud pday
3. " "
4. Elder Stowers & I(from draper ut.) - we are the only two missionaries in the mission who have served with both Pakis (1&2).
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